beep when key in ignition and driver's door open

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Abeness, Dec 8, 2004.

  1. Abeness

    Abeness Guest

    94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when
    the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently
    can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the
    door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either
    drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

    So, I'm trying to figure out how best to deal with this. On the one
    hand, I could simply disconnect the piezo buzzer, but that would
    completely disable the key alert, which can be useful in avoiding
    locking the keys in the car, so perhaps I could install a switch in the
    line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of
    ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I
    suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the
    battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-)

    Where the heck is the buzzer? And anyone know of a source for very low
    power relays, in case I go nuts?
     
    Abeness, Dec 8, 2004
    #1
  2. Abeness

    motsco_ _ Guest

    -------------------

    Alarm companies use delay timers for things like panic exits and they
    are fairly low-current. Install a touch button that's a one-shot into
    the timer, and set it for five or twenty minutes (or whatever) to jump
    out the door contact. Power the timer off the ACC so you don't drain the
    battery when key is out.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Dec 8, 2004
    #2
  3. You can just push the button on the door jamb that causes the buzzer to
    sound. Just cut a small block of wood that fits between the open door and
    the button. Very simple and it does not involve messing with the electrical
    system in your car.
     
    Alex Rodriguez, Dec 8, 2004
    #3
  4. Abeness

    a Guest

    Roll down your window (s)?
     
    a, Dec 8, 2004
    #4
  5. Abeness

    Randolph Guest

    The buzzer is in the Integrated Control Unit, ICU, which is plugged into
    the back side of the fuse box. It has a connector plugged to the back of
    it. This connector has 2 wires that are BLU/WHT. One of these wires are
    at the end of the connector, the other is the second one in from the
    other end. The one at the end is the wire from the key-in-ignition
    switch. Cut this wire, and the key-in-ignition alarm is disabled.

    On mine (also a '94) the beeper does not work with the ignition "on",
    only in "off" and "acc". So, couldn't you just either remove the key or
    turn the ignition on?

    If you want the beeper to not work with the ignition to "acc", it can be
    done with a simple automotive relay (must be the 5 pin kind, 4 pin ones
    don't have the 87a terminal. Terminal 85 to ground (I have used the
    mounting bolt for the fuse box for ground for other circuits), terminal
    86 to options connector #5 (rightmost one in the photo at
    http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph/Civic/options.jpg). Cut the BLU/WHT
    wire mentioned above. The end that goes to the ICU goes to terminal 30
    on the relay, the end that goes to the key-in-ignition switch goes to
    thermal 87a.

    Now the beeper will only work with the ignition off. This circuit will
    draw current only with the ignition to "acc" or "on".
     
    Randolph, Dec 8, 2004
    #5
  6. Abeness

    DC Guest

    I don't know if the 94 Civic works the same way as 2001 Civic, but if I turn
    the ignition to the ON position rather than ACC, it stops beeping after 5
    seconds.
     
    DC, Dec 8, 2004
    #6
  7. My '93 Accord works in the same manner, except there is no delay--unless
    the beeping during this delay you speak of is actually your seatbelt
    reminder. :)
     
    Imminent Vengeance, Dec 8, 2004
    #7
  8. Abeness

    DC Guest

    Yeah, it's probably the seatbelt reminder. In any case, Abeness, I think
    this would be a lot simpler than hacking the buzzer. =)
     
    DC, Dec 8, 2004
    #8
  9. Abeness

    SoCalMike Guest

    and/or open the window.

    my blaupunkt will stay on for an hour with no key in the ignition if i
    push the "on" button. then it shuts off.
     
    SoCalMike, Dec 9, 2004
    #9
  10. Use a swinging "J" hook on a string. Slam door and J hook falls
    away from door switch by force of gravity.
     
    Burt Squareman, Dec 9, 2004
    #10
  11. Abeness

    disallow Guest

    I have my radio hooked up to constant power. Its
    and aftermarket with removeable face, and I did this in
    order to keep from forgetting to remove the faceplate.

    But it also will play without a key in the ignition.

    t
     
    disallow, Dec 9, 2004
    #11
  12. Abeness

    MAT Guest

    Yeah turn your ignition to ON, no beep and you can run fan and windows, duh.
    Disadvantage, dummy lights on dash, and reverse light burns if parked in R.
     
    MAT, Dec 10, 2004
    #12
  13. Abeness

    Abeness Guest

    Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I don't like to leave the
    ignition in the on position because I don't like keeping the fuel pump
    and engine systems powered on or the dash lights burning--OR allow the
    fan to run in case I forget to turn it off and burn up the battery quickly.

    A block of wood is an interesting idea, but I have no idea how that
    J-hook suggestion would do it as described.

    I'll have to give this some more thought. Block seems easiest.
     
    Abeness, Dec 13, 2004
    #13
  14. Also keep thieves from stealing the car. The block of wood is an idea
    but tends to get smash to pieces. But, it's a simple, single part. The "J"
    hook I pointed out works only for the L type switch. What ever
    type of switch, what you want is to be able to reuse the wood,
    flexible plastic or whatever object you can find to jam in the switch
    to keep it latch. Tie that to a string so that if the switch is pushed in
    any slightly the object will fall off to be reuse again.

    The other method is to unplug or unscrew the 2-pin connector on
    the ignition cylinder. Then attach a spare key to a magnet. Hide
    the magnet/key inside the steel fender if you don't want to lock
    yourself out. ((The key has to be filed off a tumbler or so near the
    handle for the car can't be started but able to open the door. (The
    ignition has, say, eight tumblers but door has five-six.))
     
    Burt Squareman, Dec 14, 2004
    #14
  15. Abeness

    Abeness Guest

    I had to look at the switch to respond--for the 94 Civic configuration,
    neither a block nor a J-hook would work, as the button is at the bottom
    corner closest to the latch, not in the hinge, where a block would be
    perfect. But, it looks like a large clip would do the trick--e.g. a
    jumper-cable-sized clip. I'll continue to mull it over--this isn't a
    terribly urgent issue now that it's getting below 35 around here... ;-)
    An interesting idea, though inadvisable here in New York City. Even if I
    were to file off the appropriate portions, I don't really want to give
    anyone ideas.

    Anyway, do you have a reference (preferably with pix) to exactly which
    portions of the key should be filed to disable ignition without
    disabling the door lock?
     
    Abeness, Dec 15, 2004
    #15
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